Princeton selectmen talk broadband Internet access

Monday

Dec 30, 2013 at 10:14 PM

By Josh Lyford CORRESPONDENT

PRINCETON — Selectmen attempted to expedite the process of bringing broadband Internet to town with several key votes Monday night.

The board voted to initiate the cable licensing process, which is an invitation to prospective cable providers to offer coverage plans to the town. The town lacks cable television as well as broadband. According to the state Department of Telecommunications and Cable, advertisements must be placed in local publications as well as national trade journals. The board voted to request a DTC waiver to drop the journal advertisements.

"We know who the local players are, we've already talked to them," Town Administrator John Lebeaux said. "We don't need to have some company from California here."

The board voted to determine the length of time that potential providers would be given to hand over their coverage plans. The standard length of time is 60 days, however 30 days is not uncommon if a waiver is obtained from the DTC.

Selectman Stan Moss, who is also a Princeton Broadband Committee member, expressed his interest in asking for the 30-day length.

"We've really been pretty actively engaged with these people, as far as information exchange, for three months now," Mr. Moss said.

The committee has been in contact with area providers Charter, Comcast and Verizon.

Selectman Edith Morgan touted the 60-day option, stating that if the town pushed the providers too hard, they could be left without a solid option.

"I think that this really has to be done carefully and with the right logic," Ms. Morgan said. "We are not really the most desirable community for this service. We are the beggars here."

The board settled on a 45-day compromise, but the request must be passed by the DTC before providers can begin sending offers to the town.